MAKE tracks for Headless Cross community orchard this Saturday (January 7) when an ancient ritual will be re-enacted – washed down with flagons of cider.
The event is the ‘Cross’s sixth annual Wassail and everyone is invited to meet at 7pm at The Rocklands Social Club on Birchfield Road, before embarking upon a noisy procession to Headless Cross Green.
The aim is then to bang drums and blow whistles in a tour around the orchard accompanied by members of the Arrow Valley Brass Band.
The Wassail Queen will then drape toast soaked in cider in the boughs of the apple trees while an axeman threatens any lingering evil spirits.
Orchard volunteer and folklore author Polly Jones said: “Cider soaked bread is placed in the branches to sate the tree spirits and noise is made to scare away bad spirits that might blight the apple trees, and also to wake the trees up after their winter sleep.
“The event is rounded off with a Headless Cross mulled cider toast to warm the spirits and a good old sing song accompanied by Arrow Valley Brass,” she added.
“So come along and join us, remember to bring your whistles, bells, pots and spoons or anything to awaken those sleepy trees. Wassail!”
